To buy or not to buy?

[Kaylene]

Hello, I have a 9 month old and am newly pregnant, so I have been thinking about getting the Phil and Teds Explorer with extra toddler seat later on. I feel it’s very expensive so I don’t want to spend the money if it wont carry out my needs for a few years. What I am concerned about I heard that the baby in the back seat could reach down and touch the wheels :confused: . Does anyone know of this happening? Are there any other issues with this pram I should know? Would love advise? Thank you in advance. Kaylene.

[Lallas' Mum]

Kaylene,

I've not heard of the stroller you are mentioning but I do know people who have used the add on toddler seats on the Valco three wheelers (which is expensive too). The trouble they found was that if your toddler want to rest when your out and about they can't in the toddler seat. The parents have actually had to take the baby out, put the toddler in to rest and carry the baby in a sling. It could be just my opinion but that seems like a waste of time, effort and money if you have to do that.

I too, am expecting a second bub in May and my little man will only be 18 1/2 months. I have purchased a tandem pram where the toddler sits in front and the baby in the back (A Denver Duo by Baby Star). Both seats can recline and have their own fold back awning, removable cup trays and foot rests. When both awnings are up you can see through the back of the front one as it has clear plastic at the back so you can check on your toddler with ease. The rear awning has a sunroof to check on bub. I did a far bit of asking around and researching magazine, brochures and checking out baby stores before I came up with the Tandem pram.

My advice is to ask people who have double/tandem prams or toddler seats and buy some baby mags to check out the ads.
Good luck to you

Tracey
:) Mum to Alec 17 months and bub due May 2nd

[meshan]

Kaylene,

My friend has a 2 year old and just had a new baby. She lashed out on the Phil & Ted pram and loves it, says she wishes she brought it first. Her baby is only 3 weeks old so I can't comment on reaching down to touch the wheels.

I have brought so many cheap prams I really think is worth getting 1 really good pram in the early days that will last you.

[draught]

Hi Kaylene

My two are 20 months apart and I still wanted to be able to put the older one in the pram, but not be stuck with a tandem pram for the times when she is walking, so we sold our beloved mountain buggy and bought the Phil and Ted. Until a few days ago I would have told you that the steering was too heavy, but I finally took it back to the shop that we bought it from and they discovered that the back axles were both bent - once they were replaced and some silicon applied to the front wheel, it moves like a charm! And I now love it. I can push it one handed, and my two little people aren't that little in weight.

I have enjoyed being able to take the baby out lying down completely flat, and the toddler still being able to see everything. I like the fact that they are both shaded, unlike some toddler seats where the toddler is sticking out the front. And I enjoy the reaction of strangers when they spy the "hidden" baby underneath. It folds easily, the straps are well padded and easy to adjust. Negatives - the basket is not easy to access when you have the baby lying flat; adjusting the angle of the seat is quite awkward and almost impossible to do while your child is in the seat; the fabric panel above the wheel means that a toddler having a tantrum can put their feet down and it acts like a brake (until you lift the front wheel off the ground)

As my little one is only 6 months old, she has just moved into the upright seat at the back, and has not, as yet, touched the back wheels - but now that you have raised that I will certainly be watching out for it. Despite the negatives, compared with other prams we looked at, we still feel that we have our monies worth. Two words of warning though - (1) we bought the travel bag and found it really difficult to get the pram into - you have to take off the wheels and handle and it is a really tight fit - not fun to do at the airport with baby, toddler and a pile of luggage and a long line behind you. (2) the tyre pressure recommended in the instructions is 20 psi and on the tyres itself is 35 psi - which makes them way too hard!

Anyway - good luck!